BRUNT Ohman Soft Toe Review (First‑Hand): Are “Work” Chelsea Boots Good for Overlanding?
On overlanding trips, the right boots can make or break the entire experience. I needed something I could slip on in seconds when climbing out of the tent on a cold morning, wear comfortably for hours of driving, and trust for everything from greasy truck repairs to scrambling over rocky trails. My go-to has always been slip-on boots for the convenience, but most that I’ve used in the past nail comfort and fail on durability.
That’s what made me curious about the BRUNT Ohman Soft Toe. Since they’re built for the trades, they’re designed to take job-site abuse, but could they adapt to the unpredictable rhythm of overlanding and outdoor life? Over the past month, I’ve been putting them through everything my weekends can throw at them to see if they earn a permanent place in my wardrobe or end up in the back of the closet.
TL;DR – My BRUNT Ohman Soft Toe Experience
After a month of overlanding trips, the BRUNT Ohman Soft Toe has surprised me. They’re comfortable right out of the box, easy to slip on and off around camp, and tough enough to handle greasy truck work, rocky trails, and even standing near a hot campfire ring. The barnyard-resistant leather shrugs off mud and splashes, the slip/oil-resistant sole grips on wet grass and gravel, and the adjustable width is great for long days when my feet swell.
They’re not a full waterproof hiking boot, and I wouldn’t choose them for technical, all-day treks—but for driving, camp chores, short walks, and everyday outdoor wear, they’ve earned a spot by my driver’s seat.
First Impressions & Comfort
When I pulled the Ohmans out of the box, the first thing I noticed was the high-quality leather, stitching, and overall construction. They didn’t have that stiff, unforgiving feel that a lot of new boots do. In fact, I wore them for an entire day of work straight out of the box, and they were extremely comfortable and didn’t cause any foot pain whatsoever.
The Cush’n triple-layer insole is clearly built for people who stand on concrete all day, but it translates perfectly to long hours behind the wheel and even walking rocky trails or gathering firewood. Around camp, the slip-on Chelsea design is a game changer allowing me to kick them off before climbing into the tent, then slide them back on in seconds when I wake up on a cold morning to build a quick campfire and make my coffee.
They’re also lighter than I expected for a work boot, so I didn’t feel like I was dragging bricks on my feet all day, which is one of my biggest pet peeves with other boots I’ve owned. That combination of out-of-the-box comfort, slip-on convenience, and all-day wearability set the tone for the rest my test run with these boots.
Key Features That made the Ohman Great for Overlanding & Outdoor Use
Slip on Convenience
When you’re in and out of your boots a dozen times a day, doing things like setting up your bedding in your tent, relaxing by the campfire, or going to get more firewood, laces become a chore. The Ohman’s Chelsea-style pull-on design makes camp life so much smoother. The elastic side panels give just enough stretch, and the heel loops make it easy to slip them on without having to struggle.
All-Day comfort
I didn’t believe it at first, but the Cush’n triple-layer insole isn’t just marketing, it’s noticeably more comfortable than most boots I’ve tried. The combination of memory foam, a shock-absorbing midlayer, and a supportive base meant I could wear them from the first coffee at camp to the last log on the fire without sore feet. The Switch-Fit width adjustment also came in clutch on hot days when my feet swelled, allowing me to just remove the insert, and they instantly go from regular to wide fit.
Durable, Water-Resistant Leather
BRUNT’s FARMGUARD leather is designed to resist water, mud, oil, and even some chemicals. In real-world use, that meant I could walk through wet grass or puddles without my socks getting wet. They’re not a full waterproof boot, but for most overlanding trips where you might get dew, mud, or rain, they’re more than capable of keeping your feet dry.
Traction and Foot Protection
The outsole is slip and oil-resistant, which has been surprisingly useful not just in muddy situations but also when working on my truck and stepping in the occasional spot of spilled gear oil. The 572°F heat resistance is overkill for most people, but I like knowing I won’t melt the sole when I’m warming my feet up by the fire.
Built Tough for Mixed Environments
Even though I’m not wearing them on construction sites, I appreciate the electrical hazard (EH) rating and overall sturdiness. They feel ready for abuse, whether that’s stacking firewood, hooking up a recovery rope to a buddy’s rig, or hopping over wet rocks to get the perfect sunset photo.
Where they could improve
While I’ve had a great experience with the Ohmans so far, they’re not without their trade-offs.
Heel Liner Wear
One thing I’ve noticed, and other users have said, is that the heel lining can start to wear down from constant slip-on/off use. I haven’t nearly worn through mine yet, just some slight visible wear, I can see how with daily heavy use it could become an issue over time.
Not Built for Technical Hiking
I’ll gladly wear these for day-to-day use, campsite exploring, and light trails without thinking twice, but they’re not my pick for long, technical hikes. While they are super comfortable, I feel that the Chelsea-style pull-on design doesn’t offer the ankle support or secure lacing you want for steep, rocky terrain.
Lifespan vs. Rebuildability
The Ohman uses a wedge sole, which is lighter and more flexible out of the box, but unfortunately, not resoleable. That means once the tread is worn out, the boots are essentially done. At the $140-ish price point, that’s not a dealbreaker for me, but it’s something to know if you prefer footwear that lasts a decade with maintenance. Typically, wedge-style soles last for roughly a year to a year and a half of daily use.
Final Thoughts
After a month of putting the BRUNT Ohman Soft Toe through the paces on my overlanding weekends and outdoor adventures, I can say they’ve earned their place. They’re the boots I reach for when I need something I can slip on fast, wear all day without thinking about my feet, and not worry about getting around mud, oil, or campfire heat.
They’re not trying to be a hardcore mountaineering boot, and that’s fine; they shine in the day-to-day rhythm of overlanding: driving, camp chores, short trails, and the inevitable greasy truck work. If you treat them as an all-purpose camp and travel boot, they’ll serve you well. If you expect them to replace a full-on hiker for big backcountry mileage, you’ll probably be happier rotating them with something built for that.
